By Spy Uganda
Authorities have charged a man before court over an alleged Shs500 million cattle compensation fraud that reportedly affected several victims in Apac District.
Otwang Moses was on Wednesday arraigned before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lira District on charges of theft following investigations by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
According to the Anti-Corruption Unit, Otwang is accused of stealing Shs500 million from several victims between May 2024 and June 2025.
The money was reportedly intended to compensate cattle owners who lost their animals during insurgencies in the Lango sub-region.
Investigators allege that Otwang committed the offence together with other suspects who have not yet been apprehended.
The Anti-Corruption Unit said the case is part of ongoing efforts by government agencies to address fraud and abuse associated with compensation payments for cattle lost during past insurgencies.
The development comes amid a government shift in the way cattle-loss compensation is administered.
Earlier this year, Cabinet approved a cattle restocking programme under which eligible households in the Lango, Acholi and Teso sub-regions would receive a flat Shs5 million package per household.
The new approach replaced the previous system, under which compensation for cattle lost during past insurgencies had largely been handled through historical claims and court-related processes.
The cattle compensation programme has faced challenges over the years, including disputes over beneficiaries, verification of claims and allegations of fraudulent attempts to obtain public funds.
Authorities have increasingly turned to investigations and prosecution to recover funds and hold individuals suspected of manipulating compensation processes accountable.
The Anti-Corruption Unit, working with CID and the ODPP, has urged individuals involved in the alleged fraud to account for the funds and pledged to pursue other suspects believed to have participated in the scheme.
Otwang will face the charges through the court process, where the prosecution will be required to present evidence to support the allegations against him.
He is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court.
